African Philosophy, Culture, and Traditional MedicineFor over two centuries, Western scholars have discussed African philosophy and culture, often in disparaging, condescending terms, and always from an alien European perspective. Many Africans now share this perspective, having been trained in the western, empirical tradition. Makinde argues that, particularly in view of the costs and failings of western style culture, Africans must now mold their own modern culture by blending useful western practices with valuable indigenous African elements. Specifically, Makinde demonstrates the potential for the development of African philosophy and even African traditional medicine. Following the lead of a number of countries with government policies of incorporating indigenous medicine with orthodox Western medicine, Makinde argues that traditional African practices should be taken seriously, both medically and scientifically. Further, he charges African scholars with the responsibility of investigating these and other elements of traditional African culture in order to dispel their mystery and secrecy through modern research and useful publications. |
Contents
Chapter | 1 |
THE QUESTION OF AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY | 23 |
Reorientation | 35 |
Copyright | |
6 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
Abimbola African Cultures African language African philosophy African socialism African thought African traditional medicine African traditional thought Akin Makinde American analytic philosophy argued Awoism babalawo Bantu Philosophy beliefs British concept contemporary African philosophers critical debate Department of Philosophy discussion doublethink ethnophilosophy Fulbright herbalist Hountondji human Ibadan ideas Ifa divination Ifa priest important incantations John Mbiti John Stuart Mill knowledge Lambo logic Logical Positivism London means Medicine and Culture mental magnitude metaphysics mind nature Nigeria Nkrumah Nyerere Obafemi Awolowo Ohio University omniscient intelligence People's Republic person philo philosophical issues philosophical thoughts Plato point of view political philosophy problem Question of African reality reason regime of mental rejection religion religious Russell scientific Second Order sense social and political socialist society sophical soul Studies theory thinking thought systems traditional African traditional healers traditional medicine treatment University Press Western medicine Western philosophy world view Wright York Yoruba
References to this book
I Am Because We are: Readings in Black Philosophy Fred L. Hord,Jonathan Scott Lee No preview available - 1995 |